Photo: Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Governor Kathy Hochul is actively promoting her "Let Them Build" agenda to expedite housing and infrastructure development in New York. On Tuesday (April 14), she visited the Sol Apartments project in Troy, a $22 million mixed-use housing development featuring over 70 apartments with amenities like a lounge and community kitchen. This visit is part of a series of events aimed at reforming the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to speed up housing projects.
The reforms propose exempting certain housing developments from intensive environmental reviews, provided they have no significant adverse impacts and are built on previously developed land with existing utilities. Governor Hochul emphasized the need to cut red tape to address the housing crisis and reduce costs. "New Yorkers know all too well that the cost of rent is too high, and the only way to solve the housing crisis and bring down costs is simple: build more housing," she stated during the event.
The proposal also includes exemptions for clean water infrastructure, public parks, and child care facilities. These changes aim to reduce project timelines and costs, addressing the state's urgent need for affordable housing. Hudson Mayor Joseph Ferris supported the initiative, noting its potential to benefit cities like Hudson by facilitating growth and affordability.
The Sol Apartments project, located at 1818 5th Avenue, will be the first all-electric, zero-emission multifamily building in Troy, featuring sustainable technologies like geothermal heat pumps and rooftop solar panels. It is partially funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Empire State Development (ESD).
Governor Hochul's reforms are expected to face legislative discussions this year, with the potential to significantly impact New York's housing landscape by reducing construction delays and costs.